Hopeful Predictions for Home Care

Different, but Stronger

COVID-19 has left no part of our world untouched.

The impact of this virus ranges from emotional to mental to physical. With fears stemming from losing a loved one or not having a job, individuals are learning how to adapt to the challenges that have come with COVID-19. Physical restrictions have been put on seeing people we care about, offices have been closed for months, and routines completely altered. Life looks different and there is a longing for some sense of normal to return, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty when looking forward.

The home care industry has faced a great number of changes over the past few months, and more changes are going to come. Leaders in our industry are predicting that home care will see a rise in demand once the pandemic begins to lighten, meaning that in the coming months there is going to be surging demand for caregivers. COVID-19 professionals are predicting that many patients that would have traditionally been treated in a hospital will now seek care at home. COVID-19 resulted in a spike of patients being treated in hospitals. As patients flooded in with COVID-19 symptoms, hospital beds were outnumbered, and the staff was pushed to their limits in an attempt to treat and care for those who contracted the virus, leaving other patients without care and in fear of being exposed to COVID-19.

The reality that most have come to accept is that our world will not be returning to the normal we used to know. Things will be different, and the predictions of what exactly those differences will be are endless. Even toilet paper will never be looked at the same…but more significant changes from life pre-COVID-19 are going to be recognized within the next number of months and years.

What is to come for the Home Care Industry?

While this may seem daunting, there is hope for what’s to come. We are made stronger in times of difficulty. Learning to adapt and adjust to all that comes is how strength and resiliency are built for the long haul.

Our team took the time to research what leaders are predicting will be different for our industry in the coming months. Our hope is to give you insight into the good news that professionals are predicting for the Home Care industry so that changes and adaptations can be put into place now, preparing you for what is to come.

Here is what we found.

RISE OF TELEHEALTH

With professionals working to develop a vaccine, there is hope that the virus’s impact will lessen. However, before the vaccine is ready for the public, the only way to continue to slow the spread is to follow the safety guidelines and procedures being published.

Of these procedures, social distancing is one of the most effective. As hospitals do begin to reopen, those who may not need to go into the hospitals to seek care will be encouraged to, or opt to, simply speak with a healthcare professional virtually.

Checkups and questions for doctors will no longer require office visits but will be done over video meetings, keeping patients home.

RISING DEMAND FOR CAREGIVERS

As the nation begins to phase reopening timelines, many industry professionals are predicting that instead of reverting back to the normal routine of seeking treatment in the hospitals, many will decide to stay home and seek treatment without even being asked to do so.

This means caregivers will be needed.

In order to keep beds available for COVID-19 patients, free up time for nurses and doctors to tend to these patients, and to keep the number of COVID-19 cases from growing, people are being asked to opt for in-home care as much as possible.

Similarly, because of the desire to keep loved ones safe, there is a prediction that many who have been in nursing homes will be brought home to receive care from caregivers or loved ones. The result of living homes closing their doors will bring about a significant increase in demandfor at-home care.

DECREASE IN THE TRANSMISSION OF OTHER DISEASES

Additionally, with the heightened awareness of sickness and disease and how to stop the spread of them, we will more than likely see much less transfer of other problematic illnesses like the common cold, strep throat, influenza, meningitis, Hand Foot & Mouth, MRSA and TB.

The importance of properly washing our hands, covering a cough or a sneeze, and disinfecting ourselves after touching public surfaces, such as doorknobs, has been magnified. These things, that seem like common sense, have been plastered across social media, websites, and billboards for the past few months, leading our society into a season of new and improved health habits in order to fight COVID-19. The good news is that these habits will help fight off more than just COVID-19, keeping our society healthy.

HEALTHIER SENIORS

Along with the awareness of sickness leading to overall safer and healthier lifestyles and habits, COVID-19 forced a need for understanding all things technology. From a business standpoint, employers have had to learn how to manage a remote team. From a familial and communal standpoint, Facetime and Zoom have become lifesavers. Technology was forced upon business and has been a gift to the community during these times.

Because of social isolation and quarantine, seniors and the at-risk population have been living apart from loved ones and friends in order to stay healthy, leaving them more open to the use of technology in order to stay connected. Technology has allowed families to stay closer and connected to their aging loved ones – which in turn leads to seniors leading happier, longer lives.

We all are adapting. We all are learning. The home care industry is getting ready to step into new and uncharted territory with many changes coming. While change could bring unrest and fear, challenge yourself to continue to learn, to stay open to the new normal, and to learn how to prepare for the unknown.